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B. SGHAFER. ADJUSTABLE BAGK FOR BOOKS, m.

Patented Nov. 21, 189.3.

i No. 508,988.

mi NATIONAL Lmwmuvmmi OOMFANV wAImmaYcN. u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' ERNST SOHAFER, ISERLOHN, ASSIGNOR TO J OSEF SOHMlTZ-SCHLAGLOTH,

OF COLOGNE, GERMANY.

ADJUSTABLE BACK FOR BOOKS, 80C.

SPECIFIGATIONforming part of Letters Patent No. 508,988, dated November21, 1893. Application filedApril 13, 1893. Serial No. 470,165. (Nomodel.)

I Iserlohn, in the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented anew and use- 5 ful Adjustable Back for the Covers of Books,

Pocket Books, Letter Gases, Note Books, Purses, and the Like, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

The object of the present invention is an adjustable back for books,letter-cases and the like, of every kind,

It is well known that note-cases and the like, as usedhitherto, are notvery suitable for carrying purposes, as by the width of the back of anysuch article the thickness thereof, as well as the capacity of thevarious partitions, is determined. In the back hitherto used it hasbeennecessary to have a somewhat complicated construction, in order tosecure greater width or commodiousness'. In this way, however, a bulgingappearance is given to the purse or pocket-book,which soon wears out,the lock also being strained and damaged.

All the above'mentioned defects are over.- corne by the presentinvention which consists, chiefly, in the back being adjustableaccording to the number of the inclosures. Lettercases and otherarticles can, thus, be preserved in good condition, irrespective of thefact of their being empty, or partially or wholly filled, the sidesremaining always parallel to each other and the look, even if of themost ordinary construction, remaining always in good condition, nomatter how many inclosures may be introduced. At the same time, a fargreater durability of the pocket-book or letter-case is secured.

The whole construction of the purse itself consists of two parts. Theone part is composed of two layers of leather or suitable material,sewed together at the top and bottom, the sides being left open, whilethe other part is moved backward and forward through the open sides ofthe former.

Another feature of this invention consists in the lock. The locks usedhitherto, in consequence of the strain which they undergo, become easilyand rapidly injured. I have accordingly constructed a special kind oflock,

' by means of which a secure fastening is obtained and the lockpreserved in good condition, no matter what number of inclosures may beintroduced.

In the inclosed drawings the invention is represented.

Figure 1 shows the letter case, pocket-book or other article open. Fig.2 is an edge view.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the pocket book or letter case closed. Figs. 4and 5 represent the locking slides in the locked and unlocked positionsand Figs. 4 and 5* are sectional views of portions of said slides.

The part at composed of two portions, sewed together, forms the back ofthe pocketbook or letter-case. It can be provided with an unlimitednumber of pockets and receive any number of inclosures; The parta whichis provided with a series of pockets has a'passage through it at theback open at top and bottom and through this passage the back b passesand thus the part b may freely slide up and down on the back to adjustthe size of the covering flap of the part b to the requirements of thepart a. g

The partb while forming the back of the pocket-book or letter-case maybe provided with a number of pockets, as at a, into which any requirednumber of inclosures may be introduced.

As before stated the part b may be drawn to the extent of its own lengththrough the opening left in the sides of the part a. When inclosures areintroduced into the pockets the part a moves automatically in the direc-8 5 tion of the look. If the inclosures be removed, either partially orwholly, the part a is worked backward, in the direction of the look, bya slight movement of the hand.

The fastening may be effected in different 0 ways, for instance, by anindia rubber band, by a strap of leather, by buckles, orotherwise.

If the case be large, and it is found desirable to do so, leather strapsor handles may be employed for carrying purposes.

The lock used in thisinvention should be such as is usually applied toarticles as before described but be provided with several holes, so asto allow of the fastening being eifected at a point higher up or lowerdown, accordingly as the pocket book, or case, is increased or reducedin bulk by the introduction or removal'ot' inclosures. In the key plateor scutcheon 0, Figs. 4 and 5, are provided holes e cut at right anglesand serving to receive 5 and retain the closing knob or head 9 and itsneckh. The plate 01 behind the key plate 0 is provided withcorresponding holes f of the same shape as the holes e.

The locking is effected by introducing the 10 knob or head 9 into one ofthe small holes e f (Figs. 5 and 5 The necks h of the knobs or heads genter the rectangular holes e f when the pocketbook or case is pressedtightly for the-purpose of closing it. If the key be r 5 now turned, theplate at will rise upward and the holefbe brought level with the neck h(Figs. 4 and 4 In this way the knob g is retained in the hole e.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let- 2o ters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-

knob carried on the upper end of said piece b, a series of lockingnotches in a plate in the lower end of said part b, a locking slide anda key for operating the same, substantially as described.

Barmen, the 24th day of February,1893.

ERNST soHAnER.

Witnesses FRANK'HESSENBURCH, WILLIAM- ESSENWEIN.

